Bio Name: Hicham El Guerrouj Sex: Male Height: 1.76 meters(5' 9'') Weight: 58 kilograms(128 pounds) Birthday: 09-14-1974 Birthplace: Berkane, Morocco Hicham El Guerrouj is the fourth of eight brothers in his family but also has atleast one sister. Hicham El Guerrouj's early sporting days consisted of him being a goalkeeper for his local football(soccer) club until the age of 15. He won his first race at the age of 14 without training specifically for athletics. After that Hicham began to practice athletics in 1990 after being spurred on by a teacher. In 1991 was chosen to train at the National Institute of Athletics in Rabat, Morocco, with his current and only coach Abdelkader Kada. He had a 1500 meters pr of 3:51 in 1991 and in 1992 he made his debut at the international level as a member of the Moroccan junior team for the 1992 world cross country championships, finishing 14th. That September he placed 3rd in the 5000 meters(13:46.79) at the world junior championships, while Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia won the race. In 1993 he did not compete because he was injured. During 1994 he took part in international races again, running a 3:33.61 for the 1500 meters. He was also part of the Moroccan team that set a world record(1:57:56) in the six man Ekiden Relay that year. Hicham ran his 5000m leg in a stage winning 13:43! In 1995 he rose to a higher level by winning the world indoor championships 1500 meters race and getting 2nd place in the 1500 meters at the world championships to Noureddine Morceli of Algeria. He ran 3:31.16 for the 1500 meters and 3:48.69 for the mile that year. In 1996 he was on an unbeaten streak heading into the Olympic 1500 meters final. With one lap to go in the race he fell and faded to finish last as Noureddine Morceli won the race, denying Hicham the Olympic gold medal. But Hicham continued his season by winning the rest of his races that season. They included victories over Noureddine Morceli and a 3:29.05 1500 meters. Early in the 1997 season he broke the world indoor records in the 1500 meters and the mile and then won the world indoor championships at 1500 meters. He continued the season by running 3:28.91 for 1500 meters, 3:44.90 for the mile and winning a world championship in the 1500 meters. His only loss that year came in the Grand Prix Final to Robert Andersen of Denmark. 1998 was another great year as he ran 3:26.00 for the 1500 meters, setting a world record. He ran 3:44.60 for the mile and won the Iaaf Overall Grand Prix and Golden League Jackpot, with no losses that year. 1999 was another very fast year as he ran 3:43.13 to break the world record in the mile, barely holding off Noah Ngeny of Kenya. Then he won the world championships at 1500 meters, with a time of 3:27.65, a championship record. After that he ran a 3000 meter race in 7:23.09, 3 seconds off the world record. Finally he broke the world record in the 2000 meter race with a 4:44.79. He lost zero races that year. The year 2000 was an Olympic year and he ran a 3:27.21 1500 meters and 3:45.96 mile that year heading into the Olympics. He ran in the Olympic 1500 meters final but was outkicked by a slower rival, Noah Ngeny. Silver in an Olympic final isn't that bad! He started 2001 off by running 8:09.89 in the indoor 2 mile race, barely off the world record. Then he won the 3000 meters world indoor championships race. His campaign continued as he ran 3:44.95 for the mile, and then won the world championships 1500 meters. He later ran 3:26.12 for the 1500 meters, barely holding off Bernard Lagat of Kenya. He won the Iaaf male athlete of the year award and was undefeated in 2001. 2002 was another excellent undefeated year and the highlights included him running 3:26.97 for the 1500 meters, 3:48.28 for the mile, and winning the Grand Prix Final. He won the Iaaf male athlete of the year award for an unprecedented second time in a row. He also won a share of the Golden League jackpot. In 2003 his lone indoor race was a 8:06.61 two mile, which was 2 seconds slower than the world record. He made his senior track 5000 meters debut by running a time of 12:50.24 but lost to a suprisingly fast Stephen Cherono of Kenya(now Saif Saaeed Shaheen of Qatar). He won the 1500 meters world championship over Medhi Baala of France. Then he took second in the 5000 meters at the world championships to Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya, but beat Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia. He dominated the 1500 meters and had a seasons best of 3:28.40. At the end of the season he was sick and withdrew from the World Athletics Final but won the Iaaf male athlete of the year award for an unprecedented third straight time. He then married Miss Najoua Lahbil on September 27th to become a husband. In 2004 the focus was on the Athens Olympics, where Hicham was planning to run the 1500m and 5000m races. He and his wife Najoua had their first child, a baby girl Hiba, who's name means "Gift From God", on June 4th. Then he had a rocky start to his early summer track races but got into great mental and physical fitness in time for the Olympics. He won his long awaited Olympic title in the 1500 meters after an epic battle with Bernard Lagat of Kenya in one of the greatest races ever. After this, for icing on the cake, he won a second Olympic title in the 5000 meters, defeating Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia and Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya. All of Hicham's hard work and dedication over the years in the face of adversity has finally payed off. He is now a double Olympic Champion and possibly the greatest middle distance runner ever! In 2005 he did not compete due to some health problems but continued to prepare for the 2006 season. He didn't run in the 2006 winter season due to a back injury. After this, he was unsure whether or not to compete or to retire. He said that he lacked mental motivation and will make a decision soon. On May 22nd Hicham El Guerrouj annonced his retirement from track and field competition. This decision will enable Hicham to spend more time with his wife Najoua and his daughter Hiba. He will also be a part of the Iaaf Athletes Commission. Hicham is a true champion that spent over 10 years dominating the track at the forefront of athletics. He has shown us all what we can achieve as long as we do not give up on our dreams. We have all learned that we must believe in ourselves so that we can achieve euphoric highs that we once didn't think possible. We must never give up in the face of adversity but find the courage in our hearts to come back stronger. Thank you Hicham! You will go down in history as the greatest miler ever and one of the best middle distance runners in history. Go Hicham! The King Of The Mile!!
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